Clam shell container with cover and inner tray

Abstract

The clam shell container is formed by a cover formed of cardboard, chipboard or other similar material. A thermoform plastic tray is adhered to the inner surface of the cover to form the completed clam shell container. When closed, the edges of the tray move closer to the edges of the cover. The thermoform is bonded to the tray with adhesive and the container is closed to allow the adhesive to cure in the closed configuration. When opened, stress is created by the tray being fixed to the cover. To alleviate the stress, perforations between the tray sections and the spine break forming three distinct sections. In the open configuration, a small gap is created between the tray section and the spine.

I claim:  
     
       1. A container, comprising: 
       a cover having a front, a back and a spine, a first hinge connecting said front to said spine and a second hinge connecting said back to said spine,  
       a tray having a front, a back and a spine,  
       said tray fixed to said cover,  
       said container having a original configuration before the container is initially opened and a final configuration after the container is initially opened, and  
       said tray front, tray back and tray spine attached to one another in said original configuration and separated from one another in said final configuration.  
     
     
       2. The container of  claim 1 , wherein in said original configuration, said tray front is connected to said tray spine along a third fold line and said tray back is connected to said tray spine along a fourth fold line. 
     
     
       3. The container of  claim 2 , wherein said third fold line and said fourth fold line contain a line of weakness. 
     
     
       4. The container of  claim 3 , wherein said line of weakness is a perforated line. 
     
     
       5. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is chipboard. 
     
     
       6. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is cardboard. 
     
     
       7. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said tray is plastic.